Chambana Mom and Kid to Know: Isabella and Susan Gonzalez

Today we are introducing you to Isabella Gonzalez through the eyes of her mom, Susan. Isabella is busy getting to launch her new community project, which highlights how kids can help other kids. Sweet Dreams by Izzy are created especially for children. They are bags that will be delivered to children in homeless shelters, hospitals, and to any child that needs some comfort. The bags include stuffed animals, blankets, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and books.

This Saturday, Isabella will launch the project with an event to pack 150 bags, at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana. She is seeking donations of the above items (can be new, gently used, or even handmade.) For more information, contact the Gonzalez family at g5familia98@aol.com, check out the project Facebook page, or view the event evite.

Isabella is 10 years old and is in Mrs. Allison’s 4th grade class at Lincoln Trail in Mahomet. Right now she is receiving homebound instruction because she gets sick so easily. She has an older brother, Eric, he lives in Oklahoma, and an older sister, Rebekah, who is in 7th grade at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High.

See why we think Susan and Isabella Gonzalez are a Chambana mom and kid to know. 

Q: How did Isabella get the idea to start this effort?  

Actually saw these “nighty night” bags on Pinterest, I showed them to Isabella and we talked about how it would be a good idea for her to do something like that.

Q: We often get asked ways that kids can help the community. How did you instill this value to your daughter? 

Bella is special, literally. She has been in and out of the hospital too many times to count. She was born with VATER Syndrome, she has many medical issues. Because of all of her “experiences” with doctors, hospitals, tests, and procedures she is the perfect person for this project. She has a very caring heart, that’s just her nature.

Q: I love the idea of kids helping other kids. How can our kids help Isabella’s efforts? 

The obvious answer would be to come to the launch on Saturday to help pack up some bags. Maybe get their class and or church involved. Start their own little group of Sweet Dreams by Izzy, the more people we have working on this, the more children we can reach.

Q: What else can the community do to get involved? 

We can use donations of everything that goes in the bag, including the bag itself. And let us know if you know of a child or group of children that would need a bag.

Q: You have a lofty goal – how did you set it? 

Honestly, we just thought that was a good number to try to achieve. Unfortunately, I fear it is no where near what is actually needed. In last week’s paper there was an article about the homeless in the area, there are over 400 homeless children, I wish we could reach them all.

Q: How are you supporting this effort?

I guess my husband and I are the not so silent partners in this. We are guiding her through some of the decisions that need to be made, she came up with the name Sweet Dreams by Izzy. Her and her sister are doing the artwork for the logo.

Q: Why do you think Isabella is so excited to help other kids? 

There are people in need year  ’round, why wait until it is “that time of year”? We are hoping that this will be an ongoing project that is around for a long time. There will always be kids in the hospital, kids affected by disaster, and homeless kids, Bella wants to help as many of those kids as she can.